By SUE SUCHYTA
Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance Jr.” puts the spotlight on the talents of 67 local youth in a Dearborn Summer Arts Academy Players production at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.

Tickets are $10 for general admission and are available at the door, or online at www.dearborntheater.com/whats-on/1-whats-on/10001434-pirates-of-penzance-jr.

Directed and produced by Cythnia Frabutt of Dearborn in collaboration with the city of Dearborn, the show features the talents of Dearborn residents Natalie Clyne and Kurt Frank as musical directors, Jeanette Capote as choreographer, and Margaret Charara and Wendy Balaka as costumers.

The set and costumes have a unique designed-in “steam punk” flare, Frabutt said.

The comic opera in two acts tells of Frederic, who upon turning 21 earns release from his apprenticeship to a tenderhearted band of pirates. Frederic then falls in love with Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley. However, when Frederic discovers he was born on Leap Year, and only has a birthday every four years, he feels duty-bound to serve out his apprenticeship to the pirates for another 63 years while Mabel faithfully waits for him.

Frabutt said the show is a hilarious farce with sentimental pirates, bumbling police, dim-witted lovers and dewy-eyed daughters.

She added that Sullivan’s melodies and Gilbert’s lyrics are timeless and have the ability to stick in one’s head.

She said one of her challenges in working with an age-diverse cast is keeping the younger ensemble members engaged when attention shifts to the older teen leads and featured players.

“I’m not entirely sure the younger ones fully understand the synopsis of the story,” Frabutt said. “However, they are thoroughly enjoying playing their roles as pirates and daughters.”

She said the cast’s favorite numbers include the opening pirate number “Pour, O’ Pour the Pirate Sherry” and the daughters’ “Climbing Rocky Mountains.” The Keystone Cops, she added, love “Tarantara, Tarantara.”

Lead cast members include Dearborn residents Westley Montgomery, 18, as Frederic; Mary Charara, 17, as Mabel; Kyle Tillman, 18, as the Pirate King; and Katherine Lieblang, 17, as Samuel.